THE WEEK AHEAD and a bit about the weather

THE WEEK AHEAD

Whilst waiting for the engineer to come to inspect the state of our internet connection, I am mentally preparing for the rest of the week.

Tomorrow Joe start’s his chemotherapy and whilst I don’t have to go through it I still suffer from anxiety on his behalf. I suppose it’s the unknown that gets to me, not knowing how he will respond or feel or cope with each new development. The thing to do is to deal with each one as it comes.

Thursday’s meeting at my WI will be nerve-racking since that’s when the hitherto missed election takes place. Although I have accepted the nomination for President it doesn’t follow that I will get enough votes to take on the role. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but I’m a big girl now so if I’m disappointed I won’t show it... grins.

QUIVERING SIDEBARS!

Does anyone know why sidebars on some blogs vibrate? At least three blogging friends have quivering sidebars although I suspect they don’t know it. It’s quite difficult to concentrate on a blogger’s latest post when the sidebar is doing a wobbly. Do tell if you have any ideas on this one.

A flooded area in Upton-on-Severn,
Worcestershire

THE WEATHER

The winter snow hasn't arrived in my part of the world but I guess there’s plenty of time yet. The British Isles has had awful storms and floods but living in the Middle of the country (thankfully) means we don’t have it too bad. I always thought it would be nice to live by the sea or even a river but when I hear of the tragedies people suffer because of where they live I’m thankful I am surrounded by houses... plus living on a hill! Goodness me, I never thought I’d actually say that. 

Christmas was terrible for many people who were forced out of their ruined homes. My heart goes out to them. I just cannot imagine how they are coping in such dire circumstances. I mean, where would you start to rebuild not just your house but your life?

Oh well, that’s enough chat. I’ll just go and glue my nose to the window in eager anticipation that the engineer will soon be here. Anytime between 8 and 1 they said.... he's got another 90 minutes to get here!

Catching up with events....

Apart from the fortnightly visits to the chiropractor, I almost joined the Townswomen’s Guild (otherwise known as TWG) but had to cancel because at long last we were having the real Broadband installed at home. I say real because for four years I had been operating on mobile broadband by way of a DONGLE.

The telephone system proved to be very complicated when we tried to install Broadband twice before. The first time we applied to have it was just after we had our driveway paved and the engineer said he would have to dig it up to install the new system. We turned it down and decided not to bother.

However, we tried for Broadband again at a later date, this time going through AOL with whom we had accounts. Okay, fine! Things were put in place for the installation. The router arrived and a man from the telephone company called to install a box in the porch.  Please don’t ask me what the box was supposed to do.

After that was done we tried getting on line ... and failed. We contacted AOL who said the fault lay with the phone company. The phone company said it was AOLs responsibility. After several weeks of arguing (by phone) we felt disheartened by the whole thing. It seemed there was nothing we could do but demand our money back.

The financial side was sorted and I cancelled my account with AOL. Didn’t need an account anyway since everyone was offering free email. Hotmail, Google, Yahoo, and even AOL.

Then I heard about the newly introduced DONGLE and promptly bought one. My Guy followed suit a short while after, specifically to use on his own laptop. Admittedly the speed for getting on line was not high but it suited us.

And so came the time when my computer bit the dust and I was obliged to buy a new one. Unfortunately the new acquisition only had two USB ports. Don’t manufacturers realise that people like me need about five USB ports to survive? I do, of course, have one of those hub things, well several actually, but one has to remember that it also needs a USB point to operate, and when there are only two there are problems.

By the time I’d connected everything via a hub (including the dongle) I couldn’t connect anything else. By this time we had acquired iPads and needed to log on to iTunes before we could work them. We managed, but only after considerable difficulty on my part because of the lack of USB ports.

So we contacted our own telephone company and asked them to provide to Broadband, knowing that whatever was wrong with our system they would have to put it right. Which they did. We got the new Fibre Optic Broadband, no less. No digging up of driveways, no blaming anyone else for anything.

And to convince us that they were the cats whiskers in providing peace of mind, the phone company also installed CALLER DISPLAY, so that now we don’t need to answer the phone to unwanted callers. I have great satisfaction in ignoring INTERNATIONAL NUMBER UNKOWN.

I did get back on track with the TWG and to date have attended three meetings. I also paid a visit to another WI ... feeling the need to spread myself around. My own institute has got a bit dull lately and there doesn’t seem to be any prospects for livening things up. Added to this there was the Federation’s Annual Council Meeting to attend. That was really enjoyable. The afternoon entertainment came in the form of Two Blokes and a Piano with songs made famous by Flanders and Swann and Richard Stilgo. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a picture of them or of the women singing their heads off.

Hubby's birthday went off like a birthday should, with nice presents, a call from Australia, and good food. He was also pleased to see all the good wishes on the blog from you lovely people. Thank you so much. Here are a few pictures to give you a flavour of the celebration meal.

Mixed Vegetables

Fillet Steak with peppersauce

Pan fried veal with mushroom sauce

Pinot Grigio

Dessert Menu

The Gavino family knew it was a birthday lunch but they didn't let on until the end of our meal. This was their way of wishing him a Happy Birthday.

Not only did they produce the surprise plate but they sang the usual birthday song accompanied by five people at the next table. The next picture shows a nice touch for the star of the day.

We were also given on the house drinks, the name of which I cannot remember, but I do remember how potent they were. 

The last time we were there was in May, for my birthday treat. I blogged about it at the time and was pleased to be told that the blog had been read by the family. What a lovely family they are. I do so love Italians.